In the program for resuming the construction of Tu-160 strategic bombers-missile carriers, a special place is occupied by the project for the release of updated turbojet engines. Promising Tu-160M2 aircraft are supposed to be equipped with NK-32 engines, so-called. second series. The original version of such engines was completed in 1993. Various works are currently being carried out, which in the near future will allow the assembly of the upgraded engines to be resumed.
As reported by Izvestia on August 15, work has been completed on the repair and modernization of one of the test stands, which will be used in the further implementation of existing plans. Spetsstroy of Russia and PJSC Kuznetsov (Samara), which is part of the United Engine Corporation, completed work on the restoration and renovation of one of the existing test stands designed for testing engines of various types.
An unnamed source at the United Engine Corporation told Izvestia that the test bench, after the completion of the repair and modernization, passed the necessary checks, showing that it was working. At the moment, the issue of licensing and certification of the updated complex is being resolved. After completing these procedures, the test bench can be reused in new projects.
Tu-160 in flight. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The recently refurbished test bench is reported to be a U-shaped system with an air intake shaft and a vertical exhaust silencer. In the course of recent work at the stand, all the elements of electrical equipment were replaced, in addition, new pipelines for various purposes appeared. The modernization project also implies the use of new fire extinguishing equipment. As part of the renovation, specialists from Spetsstroy and Kuznetsov had to re-shift all the main communications, as well as mount about 4 thousand units of various equipment.
After completing all the necessary procedures and receiving the required documents, the rebuilt test bench will again be used by Kuznetsov PJSC to test new products. The operation of the stand should be resumed as soon as possible. By the end of this year, UEC plans not only to resume testing, but also to complete the assembly of a pilot batch of NK-32 engines of the second series.
The plans of industry and the Ministry of Defense for this year became known in the first half of February. Thus, during his visit to the Kuznetsov enterprise, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said that the state defense order includes not only the repair of existing engines, but also the production of new ones. Simultaneously with servicing engines of the NK-32, NK-25 and NK-12 types, it is planned to start producing improved NK-32 with increased characteristics. Until the end of 2016, the Ministry of Defense planned to receive the first batch of modernized engines from the manufacturer. Five items were ordered within the pilot batch.
To fulfill the existing order, Kuznetsov PJSC needed the modernization of production facilities that had not received proper maintenance over the past several decades. It was reported that the reconstruction of the test stand No. 9 was to be completed in February. It was planned to repair stand # 1 until April. To date, all construction and installation work at these facilities has been successfully completed, which allows them to be returned to operation. By the end of the year, a new building for galvanic production will be commissioned. This production will receive a set of modern equipment that fully complies with existing labor safety and environmental standards.
Over the next few months, PJSC Kuznetsov, together with other enterprises of the United Engine Corporation, will have to manufacture a full set of necessary components, and then assemble five NK-32 engines of the second series of the pilot batch. When testing new products, reconstructed stands will be used, which are currently undergoing final checks and are being prepared for commissioning.
In the future, it is planned to deploy full-scale production of new engines in the quantities necessary to re-equip existing Tu-160 aircraft and build all new strategic bombers of an improved version. The number of items required is still unknown. At present, the Russian Aerospace Forces has 16 Tu-160 aircraft, on which a total of 64 NK-32 engines are installed. Deployment of the construction of Tu-160M2 bombers will require the release of more engines - up to several hundred, depending on the number of ordered aircraft.
According to available data, the goal of developing the NK-32 engine of the second series is to change the original project, developed in the early eighties, using modern technologies, materials, components and assemblies. There is information about plans for the completion of individual elements of the engine design, as well as the use of an electronic digital control system. Due to such innovations, the main technical characteristics of the engine can be increased. In addition, a noticeable increase in the efficiency of work in various modes is expected, including the optimization of fuel consumption, which can increase the flight range.
The NK-32 product is a by-pass turbojet engine with an afterburner. The compressor includes a three-stage fan, five medium and seven high pressure stages. The central part of the engine is occupied by an annular multi-nozzle combustion chamber. The turbine design consists of two low pressure stages as well as one medium and one high pressure. The afterburner is located behind the turbine. The degree of pressure increase in the engine was 26.8. The bypass ratio was 1. 4. The temperature of the gases in front of the turbine was 1300 ° C. An electric control system with hydraulic redundancy was used.
With a length of less than 7.5 m and a maximum diameter of 1.785 m, the NK-32 engine weighs 3.65 tons. The maximum thrust without the use of afterburner is determined at the level of 14000 kgf. When using the afterburner - 25000 kgf. In the case of the Tu-160 bomber, similar characteristics of four engines make it possible to increase the take-off weight to 275 tons, as well as to reach speeds of up to 2200 km / h. Fuel consumption figures provide the maximum range without refueling up to 18,950 km.
NK-32 engine. Photo Kuznetsov-motors.ru
In the course of the current modernization, it is planned to improve the main characteristics of the engine by using new components and assemblies. In addition, it is planned to use a new control system, which will further optimize the engine operation depending on the current mode and the required parameters.
The resumption of production of the NK-32 engines is part of a larger program involving the repair of existing strategic bombers and the construction of new ones. Its goal is to update the existing fleet of equipment using modern systems, as well as the further construction of new aircraft, initially equipped with equipment with high performance. Also, the modernization of the systems responsible for the use of weapons should be carried out.
According to available data, at the beginning of the next decade it is planned to complete the construction and transfer to the troops of the first Tu-160 bombers of the new series. According to various data and estimates, during the construction of this technique, we can talk about several dozen aircraft. The release of such missile carriers will allow replacing physically obsolete equipment, as well as strengthening strategic aviation. In addition, the modernized Tu-160 of the new series will allow maintaining and increasing the strike potential of the Aerospace Forces until a sufficient number of promising long-range aviation complexes PAK DA appear.
According to the latest data, the United Engine Corporation has completed part of the work on the restoration and renovation of existing facilities required to fulfill current orders. Using the repaired test benches, Kuznetsov PJSC will test new NK-32 products of the modernized version in the very near future. Already at the end of this year, an installation batch of five engines is planned to be handed over to customers. In the future, the production of engines, apparently, will continue for a long time. With the help of these engines, the repair of existing aircraft will first be carried out, and then they will be used in the construction of new missile carriers.
